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HS2 Headlines

The Mail reported Sir Robert as saying there was an "element of coincidence" to the knighthoods.

He went on to say: "The type of MP that serves on that sort of committee are the sort in line for recognition anyway.

"‘I have twice been in government and was on the front bench for ten years in opposition."

The sixth member of the committee, Sir Peter Bottomley, was knighted in 2011, years before the committee was opened.

Three other MPs sat on the committee: Mike Thronton, who lost his seat in 2015; and Yasmin Qureshi and Ian Mearns, who both stepped down before the conclusion.

None of these three MPs were knighted.

Members of the select committee of MPs scrutinizing HS2 visited Hillingdon to see areas most affected (Image: Grant Humphreys)

The honours list stated that the knighthoods were to recognise their work on the committee "which sat for almost 100 days over eight months, taking evidence from up to 40 petitioners a day".

The High Speed 2 hybrid bill became an Act of Parliament in February 2017, and preliminary construction work on the line, which connects London Euston to the West Midlands, following a route through west London and the Chilterns, began in late 2017.

The £56 billion project is forecast to be completed in 2026 and will shave half an hour off the journey time from London to Birmingham.

Joe Rukin, an HS2 campaigner pictured in 2011

The scheme has come under criticism since it was first proposed for the impact it will have on homes and countryside, while others have branded it an unnecessary and very costly white elephant.

A second bill is now being prepared for Phase 2 of the HS2 project, which could see the rail network joined up with Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and the East Midlands if approved.

The House of Commons select committee on the first bill heard from 820 petitioners, many of whom complained that the lengthy construction process would ruin their homes and livelihoods.

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